London: Curwen Press (1926). 13pp. An uncommon collection of some of Douglas's poems privately printed by A. J. A. Symons in an edition of 50 copies (this is #40). Very good in printed wrappers, light wear to covers, corrections of 4 misprints in the author's hand. Laid into a yellow linen chemise and slipcase, bookplate on front pastedown. Warmly inscribed by Douglas on endpaper ("A belated wedding gift."). More
Elysium: Asphodel Editions (2005). 1st Edition. Hardcover. This edition is the first English translation of the eccentric Baron Fersen's decadent gay novel, Lord Lyllian: Messes Noires. Fersen (1880-1923) was arrested in 1903 and charged with indecent assault and exciting minors to debauchery. He was forced to leave France and settled in Capri, where he began the novel the following year. Originally published in 1905, it was one of the first novels written about Oscar Wilde after his demise and is filled with outrageous descriptions of fin de siècle excesses, including Fersen’s own addiction to opium and adolescent boys. The edition is limited to 500 copies bound in black silk moiré, with a reproduction of the original cover illustration by Claude Simpson tipped onto the cover. Jeremy Reed has contributed an Introduction to the edition. Printed at the Stinehour Press in Vermont. More